Chainsmokers energize RodeoHouston crowd
The Chainsmokers introduced EDM to the Houston Livestock
Show and Rodeo in 2017. Since then, Zedd and Marshmello have carried the torch or glow-stick. Friday night, the originators returned to the rotating stage for a crowd of 67,421. Members Alex Pall and Drew Taggart were joined by drummer Matt McGuire on a multilevel DJ booth that flashed different colors throughout the hourlong set. Strobes and lasers snaked around the stadium.
“I’m not going to lie, I’m a little bit nervous looking at everybody who’s played the rodeo so far,” Taggart said. “But it looks like you guys are OK with DJs pulling up.”
Indeed, the crowd was one of the most enthusiastic so far. Cameras scanned the crowd to show men and women in cowboy hats up and dancing. Groups of women sang along to the lyrics. Kids were hoisted on their shoulders.
“I’ve never seen so many people in my life. I feel like Zach Bryan right now. Oh my goodness,” Taggart said, referencing the “Something in the Orange” country singer.
Like any good DJ set, it was a nonstop barrage of songs that each fed seamlessly into the next. The duo’s pop hits — “High” and “Paris” and Takeaway” — gave way to “Teenage Dirtbag,” Cascada’s dance hit “Everytime We Touch” and even a “Pokemon” theme song.
Taggart asked the crowd to bring “all that 2015 energy” during “Roses.” But it was 2016’s hit, “Don’t Let Me Down,” that really turned up the party. The entire stadium seemed to jump in unison. It was wild, kinetic energy.
Near the end of the set, Taggart introduced a song he said they’d “never played in America” but felt right for RodeoHouston. It had a bit of a throwback, Basement Jaxx sound (and was possibly titled “Up and Down”).
“Did we leave something on the table?” Taggart asked after pretending to end without performing “Closer,” the duo’s biggest hit.
More dancing. More singing along. And more proof that EDM just might be at RodeoHouston to stay.